Porsche debuts second generation Panamera luxury sports sedan
When the first Porsche sedan the Panamera was announced in 2009, certain naysayers had critical things to say about the model’s stretched proportions and the fact that the company even made a full-size car to begin with. Many enthusiasts are still on opposite sides of the fence today, and now they will have even more to debate with the world premiere of the vehicle’s second generation in Berlin on June 28.
Rebuilt from the ground up, Porsche says the 2017 Panamera does an even better job of combining sports car performance with luxury sedan comfort and convenience.
“The new model represents a completely redeveloped automobile — with new engines, a new design and new technologies. Furthermore, we are now manufacturing the second generation of the vehicle entirely at our Leipzig production site. To this end, we have invested a sum of 500 million Euros, which includes a completely new body manufacturing facility,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, in a news bulletin.
It’s evident in the design that there are elements borrowed from the 911, such as the sloping roofline, coupe-like side windows, slim LED taillights and large multi-spoke alloy wheels. Like many modern premium automotive products rolling off the assembly line, there is extensive application of lightweight aluminum.
Out is the overly cluttered, highly complex infotainment interface inside the cabin, replaced by the Porsche Advanced Cockpit featuring an integrated 12.3-inch touchscreen responding to smartphone-like inputs. Drivers will also be able to control certain onboard functions using a companion mobile device app.
At launch, two engines will be available: Turbo models will come with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged 550-horsepower V8, and the 4S trim receives a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged 440 hp V6. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed PDK automatic transmission are standard on both variants.
The 2017 Porsche Panamera has an anticipated release date of early next year.
